SPRINGDALE — The president of the Marshall Islands says climate change is a threat that the world's leading countries must address.
President Litokwa Tomeing (LI-tak-wa TAH-ming) says rising ocean waters already have forced some in his nation to higher ground or to other countries. Tomeing made the comments to reporters Monday as he opened a new consulate in northwest Arkansas.
About 6,000 Marshallese live in northwest Arkansas - about 10 percent of the island's total population of 64,000. Most come to work in chicken-processing plants surrounding Springdale.
The U.S. provides military protection for the island, midway between Australia and Hawaii. A compact between the two nations allows easy immigration for islanders coming to the U.S.